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His younger brother, Iweko Shibatsu, was raised by the Spider Clan, which is why Seiken's upbringing resulted in him being well-acquainted with various clans. [4] But he prefered the company of his father's kinsmen, the Lion Clan and trained at Kyuden Ikoma under the sight of the Ikoma DaimyoIkoma Hakige. In 1198 he had training with the Scorpion Clan, and some time among the Crane following that. [2] Previously he had been trained in archery at Kyuden Ashinagabachi. [5] Seiken was also martially powerful, which was another reflex to the Spider Clan's raising of his brother as a ward in the Colonies. These were precautions against him being overthrown, possibly by Shibatsu. According to Moru, the Imperial Advisor, the Empress wanted to prevent that a corrupted scion would succeed her, which is why she didn't give the heir apparent to Daigotsu's clan, but her second child. [4]

Seiken was well regarded by the various clans, and many courted his favor. He developed a reputation for some degree of arrogance, and as extremely dismissive toward those he did not consider worthy of his attentions, as his brother Shibatsu. [6] Seiken disliked the Spider and didn't consider them a true Great Clan. [2]

Seiken took part in the Emerald Championship and during its final faced Utaku Ji-Yun, the eventual winner. He wounded the Battle Maiden slightly, but suffered a more serious wound to his shoulder from her. He recovered after several weeks, but from the duel he also kept a scar on his cheek, albeit one which did not disfigure his face.[7]

Seiken returned to mainland Rokugan, and arrived to Shiro Shiba, where he met the newly appointed Master of AirIsawa Tsumaro, who had been instrumental in the research which led to the banishing of the mad dragon. They played a game of shogi while pondering the recent events. Tsumaro appointed a unit of Shibasamurai as honor guard to the Imperial Heir when Seiken went back to the Colonies, with the Ritual Master Shiba Eraki among them. [11]

Seiken met his brother in his estate at the Second City, and they pondered the outgoing conflicts, such as the fight in the Colonis between their own supporters, the Lion-Scorpion war. Shibatsu advised his brother to let himself neutral respect the retribution of the Unicorn against the Phoenix Clan after their research on the Moto Curse, as he had nothing to gain by getting involved. [20]

Seiken believed that the Imperial Bureaucracy proved itself a hindrance to Imperial rule, not an asset. In front of several of his advisors, he announced that after his appointment as Emperor all samurai would be required to live for one year in a rural village, if they wished to hold any significant imperial office. This policy would clear out most of the Imperial Bureaucracy. There would be virtually no bureaucracy left. [20]

The Progressive forces led by the Mantis Clan ChampionYoritomo Hiromi routed the army moving toward the rebels sent by Seiken. The ambush had been devised with a great knowledge of what the Progressit forces had planned. Seiken knew that the possibility that the Scorpion had done something duplicitous was real. [21]

Eventually, his mother the Empress went in seclusion to decide her official heir. Iweko I decided there was no reason not to adhere to the tradition of primogeniture, proclaiming Seiken as the new Emperor. [22] All Imperials were required in the capital for the coronation [23] of Seiken as Iweko II, [24] which was held at the end of the winter. [25]

During the festivals predating Iweko Seiken's coronation, he publicly humiliated Daigotsu Kanpeki by announcing that he will remove him as Spider Clan Champion. Seiken's brother would join the Susumu family as their daimyo and become Lord Spider. Kanpeki considered this as betrayal of the deal between his father and Iweko I and declared war on the Empire. [26] Most of his clan followed him, but for the Susumu family and some others, who numbered less than one hundred, loyal to the Iweko Dynasty. [27]

This year the rebellious Spider Clan had the upperhand in their goal to rule the Empire. The Mantis had fallen, and the Second Seal had been also destroyed. Bayushi Nitoshi offered to Daigotsu Kanpeki his services, and the services of half of his Clan. The Scorpion Champion had delivered to Kanpeki the heads of the Crane Clan ChampionDoji Makoto and the Phoenix Clan ChampionShiba Tsukimi to prove his allegiance. The Lion Clan had withdrawn from Seikitsu Pass, allowing the Spider and their tainted forces to roam free Rokugan. The Emperor, his bride Hida Ayameko, Shibatsu and Miaka were magically taken by the Phoenix to a secret location when the Spider stormed Toshi Ranbo. Nitoshi and his Clan were instrumental to secure the Iweko family, denying Kanpeki's real target, Iweko II. [36]

The Shadowlands hordes were endless, and Seiken told to the Mantis Clan ChampionYoritomo Hiromi that he would evacuate as many people as possible to the Colonies, a place where their traditions, where Rokugan, might continue. The possibility that Jigoku might conquer the Empire had been anticipated by his mother, it was why Iweko I established the Colonies. The Mantis must marshal their fleet and attack the coastline of the lost Crane provinces, sacrificing themselves to distract the Shadowlands monsters of the evacuation. [37]

Eventually the three Sacred Seals, the barrier between Ningen-do and Jigoku, were found and destroyed. With the breaking of the seals the forces of Rokugan suffered devastation on a scale not before seen. To try and stem the advance of Jigoku, Iweko II formed the remainder of his forces into two grand Imperial Legions. [38]